Local category, Page 2637
Pennsylvania primary ballot finalized
The field is set for Pennsylvania’s April 28 primary. Candidates for federal and state office had until 5 p.m. Tuesday to file nominating petitions to run in the primary. Eight Democrats and three Republicans filed petitions to seek their party’s nomination to run for president in November, though the field...
Skunk cabbage, daffodils provide an early sign of spring
Apparently, Punxsutawney Phil wasn’t far off with his early spring forecast. The unusually mild weather is causing some plants to “break bud” or bloom a week or two early in the region. Average temperatures in Allegheny and surrounding counties in January were much above the normal range at 35.2 degrees...
‘March Mayhem’ boxing card in Cheswick will feature local, regional fightersVideo
Local promoter Derek Gionta of Plum is excited to see more boxing events happening in the Steel City. “A friend of mine is doing cards three or four times a year, plus you have the Meadows and the Rivers casinos,” said Gionta, who is promoting a March 7 card, “March...
Western Pa. nursing home chain reaches $15.4M settlement for inappropriate therapy
A company that owns more than 50 nursing homes in Pennsylvania will pay more than $15.4 million to the government to settle federal whistleblower claims that it provided medically unnecessary rehabilitation therapy to residents to help meet revenue goals, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said. The civil settlement, announced by...
Rainy forecast looms for remainder of winter in Western Pa.
Not again. If the National Weather Service outlook holds true, the region is in for another wet late winter and early spring. The service’s outlook for February, March and April forecasts above-normal rainfall through early spring, according to meteorologist Lee Hendricks. Precipitation in February is already beyond typical. The region...
Westmoreland Manor receives clean bill of (water) health after Legionnaires’ discovery
The spigots are back on at Westmoreland Manor. County officials said the latest test results found no traces of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease in the water at the Hempfield nursing home. “Effective Feb. 17, 2020, all water precautions in place at Westmoreland Manor were lifted due to the...
GoFundMe started to help family of former Armstrong County kayaker
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help the family of a former Armstrong County woman who died in a kayaking accident on a West Virginia river earlier this month. Jamie Lynn Gray, 41, went missing on Feb. 9 while kayaking with nine other people on a remote section of...
Jeannette men now charged with attempted homicide in 2016 Greensburg shooting case
Attempted murder counts were added to the list of charges against two Jeannette men accused of shooting a Greensburg resident nearly four years ago in his home. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani on Wednesday signed off on a request by prosecutors to amend the charges against Daishawn...
I-70 lane restrictions planned for Yukon area
Motorists traveling Interstate 70 between Yukon and Madison — exits 53 and 54 — will have to drive through lane-restricted areas next week, PennDOT said. There will be a single lane of travel in both directions while crews demolish the median barrier and install a temporary barrier. Work from 10...
Officials consider using Leechburg stormwater system to help with potential runoff from turf field
Officials working on renovations to Leechburg’s Veterans Memorial Stadium said they will explore connecting an artificial turf field drainage system to the borough’s storm sewer system to help alleviate water runoff. The decision came after Leechburg Council voiced concerns about the impact the field could have on flooding problems in...
Pennsylvania primary ballot finalized for presidential races, Congress, state legislature
The field is set for Pennsylvania’s primary, with a slew of Democratic presidential candidates hoping to continue momentum — or finally find some — in the Keystone State’s late April election. One of those who might still be looking for a spark, or to fan one that should have long...
3 more Allegheny County residents die from flu, bringing total to 10
Three more people have died due to influenza complications in Allegheny County, bringing the total number of such deaths to 10, according to the Allegheny County Health Department. The residents were in their late 90s, late 80s and mid-70s. All had underlying conditions, the health department said. “Weekly flu cases...
Help for disabilities, mental illness available at Pittsburgh convention center event
People with disabilities or mental health problems can access support organizations and attend informational seminars during a summit in March at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Admission to the Disability and Mental Health Summit on March 3 is free. It runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and features...
Pittsburgh Council members propose $60 million bond for affordable housing
Pittsburgh should borrow $60 million to help solve the city’s affordable housing problem, two city councilmen suggested Wednesday. Councilmen R. Daniel Lavelle of the Hill District and Ricky Burgess of North Point Breeze said the $10 million Pittsburgh sets aside each year for an affordable housing fund could be used...
Nearly 300 bricks of heroin seized in Monroeville bust
Three men who were traveling to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia face drug-related charges after police accused them of trafficking nearly 300 bricks of heroin this month. Maximo Almonte, 48, Noel Argedys, 26, and Odai Hernendez, 30, were allegedly involved in a heroin operation. Police believe they are all of Dominican Republic...
The Stroller, Feb. 20, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is your go-to place for local meeting notices, charitable events and volunteer opportunities. Information for The Stroller may be dropped off or mailed at least a week in advance to: The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084, email vndnews@tribweb.com or fax 724-226-4677. Evening of...
Thomas Jefferson students present idea for school dance team
Thomas Jefferson High School seniors Julia Petrovich and Jaden Lotis have dreamt of the day that they could dance on a school team. A dance team would provide students at TJ with the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents on a regular basis, tie together arts and athletics, and...
Agreements on 2 Unity property assessments add $38K to Greater Latrobe coffers
Greater Latrobe School Board has approved retroactive tax settlements for two commercial properties along Route 30 in Unity that will increase the district’s tax revenue by about $38,000. The board this week voted unanimously in favor of the settlements. One ends the district’s appeal of the assessed value of a...
Hillside above Route 28 in Harmar deemed ‘stable’ day after landslide
A southbound lane of Route 28 remained closed in Harmar on Wednesday, a day after boulders the size of small cars slid from a hillside onto the busy highway’s shoulder. PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said geotechnical engineers who surveyed the area said two large boulders fell from a height of...
GM gets tax break for new plant in Lordstown next to factory it closed
LORDSTOWN, Ohio — General Motors Co. will receive a tax break to build a new electric battery cell factory in Ohio next to the site of a much larger assembly plant it shut down last year. Village leaders in Lordstown approved a 75% tax abatement that will extend over 15...
Homicide charges filed in 2017 slaying of Parks Township couple
New charges were filed Wednesday in a 2017 double homicide in Parks Township. Charges were filed against Kevin Lamont Ware, who is from the Washington, D.C., area, in connection with the deaths of Dawayne Klingensmith and Heather Swiklinski. In November 2017, Klingensmith, 29, and Swiklinski, 22, were found dead on...
Forest County man accused of sending pornographic images to Derry Township teen
A man is charged with sending pornographic images of himself to a 15-year-old Derry Township girl he met on social media. Shawn M. Negley Jr., 18, of Marienville, Forest County, was arraigned before District Judge Mark Bilik Wednesday on charges filed by state police in Greensburg of child pornography, corruption...
Whitehall Boy Scout honored for heroics
A vacation to Ohiopyle hit a sour note for the Shaneman family this summer when dad Shane fell and broke his leg in several places. But, there was not much to worry about — Ryan Shaneman, 14, an eighth-grader at J.E. Harrison Middle School, knew just what to do. After...
Monessen man accused in rape of girl ordered held in county prison on $50K bond
A 23-year-old Monessen man was arrested this week on charges of raping a girl after she was treated and interviewed at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh following the alleged assault. Quentin T. Simpson was arraigned before night court District Judge Michael Mahady on charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault, corruption...
Food shopping trends prompt Giant Eagle to trim overnight hours at some locations
Changes in customer shopping habits and the increase in the number of 24-hour convenience stores offering items typically sold in supermarkets has prompted Giant Eagle to end around-the-clock operations at four stores, company officials said. The stores in Monroeville, McIntyre Square in Ross, Shaler and the city of Washington will...
